The discussion was becoming full of bitterness. De Guiche perfectlyunderstood the whole matter for there was in Bragelonne's face a lookinstinctively hostile, while in that of De Wardes there was somethinglike a determination to offend. Without inquiring into the differentfeelings which actuated his two friends, De Guiche resolved to ward offthe blow which he felt was on the point of being dealt by one of them,and perhaps by both. "Gentlemen," he said, "we must take our leaveof each other, I must pay a visit to Monsieur. You, De Wardes, willaccompany me to the Louvre, and you Raoul, will remain here master ofthe house; and as all that is done here is under your advice, you willbestow the last glance upon my preparations for departure."
Raoul, with the air of one who neither seeks nor fears a quarrel, bowedhis head in token of assent, and seated himself upon a bench in the sun."That is well," said De Guiche, "remain where you are, Raoul, and tellthem to show you the two horses I have just purchased; you will give meyour opinion, for I only bought them on condition that you ratified thepurchase. By the by, I have to beg your pardon for having omitted toinquire after the Comte de la Fere." While pronouncing these latterwords, he closely observed De Wardes, in order to perceive what effectthe name of Raoul's father would produce upon him. "I thank you,"answered the young man, "the count is very well." A gleam of deep hatredpassed into De Wardes' eyes. De Guiche, who appeared not to notice theforeboding expression, went up to Raoul, and grasping him by the hand,said,--"It is agreed, then, Bragelonne, is it not, that you will rejoinus in the courtyard of the Palais-Royal?" He then signed to De Wardes tofollow him who had been engaged in balancing himself first on one foot,then on the other. "We are going," said he, "come, M. Malicorne."This name made Raoul start; for it seemed that he had already heard itpronounced before, but he could not remember on what occasion.While trying to recall it half-dreamily, yet half-irritated at hisconversation with De Wardes, the three young men set out on their waytowards the Palais-Royal, where Monsieur was residing. Malicorne learnedtwo things; the first, that the young men had something to say to eachother, and the second, that he ought not to walk in the same line withthem; and therefore he walked behind. "Are you mad?" said De Guicheto his companion, as soon as they had left the Hotel de Grammont; "youattack M. d'Artagnan, and that, too, before Raoul."
"Well," said De Wardes, "what then?"
"What do you mean by 'what then?'"
"Certainly, is there any prohibition against attacking M. d'Artagnan?"
"But you know very well that M. d'Artagnan was one of those celebratedand terrible four men who were called the musketeers."
"That they may be, but I do not perceive why, on that account, I shouldbe forbidden to hate M. d'Artagnan."
"What cause has he given you?"
"Me! personally, none."
"Why hate him, therefore?"
"Ask my dead father that question."
"Really, my dear De Wardes, you surprise me. M. d'Artagnan is not oneto leave unsettled any enmity he may have to arrange, without completelyclearing his account. Your father, I have heard, on his side, carriedmatters with a high hand. Moreover there are no enmities so bitter thatthey cannot be washed away by blood, by a good sword-thrust loyallygiven."
"Listen to me, my dear De Guiche, this inveterate dislike existedbetween my father and M. d'Artagnan, and when I was quite a child,he acquainted me with the reason for it, and, as forming part of myinheritance, I regard it as a particular legacy bestowed upon me."
"And does his hatred concern M. d'Artagnan alone?"
"As for that, M. d'Artagnan was so intimately associated with his threefriends, that some portion of the full measure of my hatred falls totheir lot, and that hatred is of such a nature, whenever the opportunityoccurs, they shall have no occasion to complain of their allowance."
De Guiche had kept his eyes fixed on De Wardes, and shuddered atthe bitter manner in which the young man smiled. Something like apresentiment flashed across his mind; he knew that the time had passedaway for grands coups entre gentilshommes; but that the feeling ofhatred treasured up in the mind, instead of being diffused abroad, wasstill hatred all the same; that a smile was sometimes as full of meaningas a threat; and, in a word, that to the fathers who had hated withtheir hearts and fought with their arms, would now succeed the sons, whowould indeed hate with their hearts, but would no longer combat theirenemies, save by means of intrigue or treachery. As, therefore, itcertainly was not Raoul whom he could suspect either of intrigue ortreachery, it was on Raoul's account that De Guiche trembled. However,while these gloomy forebodings cast a shade of anxiety over De Guiche'scountenance, De Wardes had resumed the entire mastery over himself.
"At all events," he observed, "I have no personal ill-will towards M. deBragelonne; I do not know him even."
"In any case," said De Guiche, with a certain amount of severity in histone of voice, "do not forget one circumstance, that Raoul is my mostintimate friend;" a remark at which De Wardes bowed.
The conversation terminated there, although De Guiche tried hisutmost to draw out his secret from him; but, doubtless, De Wardes haddetermined to say nothing further, and he remained impenetrable. DeGuiche therefore promised himself a more satisfactory result with Raoul.In the meantime they had reached the Palais-Royal, which was surroundedby a crowd of lookers-on. The household belonging to Monsieur awaitedhis command to mount their horses, in order to form part of the escortof the ambassadors, to whom had been intrusted the care of bringing theyoung princess to Paris. The brilliant display of horses, arms, andrich liveries, afforded some compensation in those times, thanks to thekindly feelings of the people, and to the traditions of deep devotionto their sovereigns, for the enormous expenses charged upon the taxes.Mazarin had said: "Let them sing, provided they pay;" while Louis XIV.'sremark was, "Let them look." Sight had replaced the voice; the peoplecould still look, but they were no longer allowed to sing. De Guicheleft De Wardes and Malicorne at the bottom of the grand staircase, whilehe himself, who shared the favor and good graces of Monsieur with theChevalier de Lorraine, who always smiled at him most affectionately,though he could not endure him, went straight to the prince'sapartments, whom he found engaged in admiring himself in the glass, androuging his face. In a corner of the cabinet, the Chevalier de Lorrainewas extended full length upon some cushions, having just had his longhair curled, with which he was playing in the same manner a woman wouldhave done. The prince turned round as the count entered, and perceivingwho it was, said:
"Ah! is that you, Guiche, come here and tell me the truth."
"You know, my lord, it is one of my defects to speak the truth."
"You will hardly believe, De Guiche, how that wicked chevalier hasannoyed me."
The chevalier shrugged his shoulders.
"Why, he pretends," continued the prince, "that Mademoiselle Henriettais better looking as a woman than I am as a man."
"Do not forget, my lord," said De Guiche, frowning slightly, "yourequire me to speak the truth?"
"Certainly," said the prince, tremblingly.
"Well, and I shall tell it you."
"Do not be in a hurry, Guiche," exclaimed the prince, "you have plentyof time; look at me attentively, and try to recollect Madame. Besides,her portrait is here. Look at it." And he held out to him a miniature ofthe finest possible execution. De Guiche took it, and looked at it for along time attentively.
"Upon my honor, my lord, this is indeed a most lovely face."
"But look at me, count, look at me," said the prince endeavoring todirect upon himself the attention of the count, who was completelyabsorbed in contemplation of the portrait.
"It is wonderful," murmured Guiche.
"Really one would almost imagine you had never seen the young ladybefore."
"It is true, my lord, I have seen her, but it was five years ago; thereis a great difference between a child twelve years old and a girl ofseventeen."
"Well, what is your opinion?"
"My opinion is that the portrait must be flatteri
ng, my lord."
"Of that," said the prince triumphantly, "there can be no doubt, but letus suppose that it is not, what would your opinion be?"
"My lord, that your highness is exceedingly happy to have so charming abride."
"Very well, that is your opinion of her, but of me?"
"My opinion, my lord, is that you are too handsome for a man."
The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing. The prince understood howsevere towards himself this opinion of the Comte de Guiche was, and helooked somewhat displeased, saying, "My friends are not over indulgent."De Guiche looked at the portrait again, and, after lengthenedcontemplation, returned it with apparent unwillingness, saying, "Mostdecidedly, my lord, I should rather prefer to look ten times at yourhighness, than to look at Madame once again." It seemed as if thechevalier had detected some mystery in these words, which wereincomprehensible to the prince, for he exclaimed: "Very well, getmarried yourself." Monsieur continued painting himself, and when hehad finished, looked at the portrait again once more, turned to admirehimself in the glass, and smiled, and no doubt was satisfied with thecomparison. "You are very kind to have come," he said to Guiche, "Ifeared you would leave without bidding me adieu."
"Your highness knows me too well to believe me capable of so great adisrespect."
"Besides, I suppose you have something to ask from me before leavingParis?"
"Your highness has indeed guessed correctly, for I have a request tomake."
"Very good, what is it?"
The Chevalier de Lorraine immediately displayed the greatest attention,for he regarded every favor conferred upon another as a robberycommitted against himself. And, as Guiche hesitated, the prince said:"If it be money, nothing could be more fortunate, for I am in funds; thesuperintendent of the finances has sent me 500,000 pistoles."
"I thank your highness; but it is not an affair of money."
"What is it, then? Tell me."
"The appointment of a maid of honor."
"Oh! oh! Guiche, what a protector you have become of young ladies," saidthe prince, "you never speak of any one else now!"
The Chevalier de Lorraine smiled, for he knew very well that nothingdispleased the prince more than to show any interest in ladies. "Mylord," said the comte, "it is not I who am directly interested in thelady of whom I have just spoken; I am acting on behalf of one of myfriends."
"Ah! that is different; what is the name of the young lady in whom yourfriend is interested?"
"Mlle. de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere; she is already maid of honorto the dowager princess."
"Why, she is lame," said the Chevalier de Lorraine, stretching himselfon his cushions.
"Lame," repeated the prince, "and Madame to have her constantly beforeher eyes? Most certainly not; it may be dangerous for her when in aninteresting condition."
The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing.
"Chevalier," said Guiche, "your conduct is ungenerous; while I amsoliciting a favor, you do me all the mischief you can."
"Forgive me, comte," said the Chevalier de Lorraine, somewhat uneasy atthe tone in which Guiche had made his remark, "but I had no intention ofdoing so, and I begin to believe that I have mistaken one young lady foranother."
"There is no doubt of it, monsieur; and I do not hesitate to declarethat such is the case."
"Do you attach much importance to it, Guiche?" inquired the prince.
"I do, my lord."
"Well, you shall have it, but ask me for no more appointments, for thereare none to give away."
"Ah!" exclaimed the chevalier, "midday already, that is the hour fixedfor the departure."
"You dismiss me, monsieur?" inquired Guiche.
"Really, count, you treat me very ill to-day," replied the chevalier.
"For heaven's sake, count, for heaven's sake, chevalier," said Monsieur,"do you not see how you are distressing me?"
"Your highness's signature?" said Guiche.
"Take a blank appointment from that drawer, and give it to me." Guichehanded the prince the document indicated, and at the same time presentedhim with a pen already dipped in ink; whereupon the prince signed."Here," he said, returning him the appointment, "but I give it on onecondition."
"Name it."
"That you make friends with the chevalier."
"Willingly," said Guiche. And he held out his hand to the chevalier withan indifference amounting to contempt.
"Adieu, count," said the chevalier, without seeming in any way to havenoticed the count's slight; "adieu, and bring us back a princess whowill not talk with her own portrait too much."
"Yes, set off and lose no time. By the by, who accompany you?"
"Bragelonne and De Wardes."
"Both excellent and fearless companions."
"Too fearless," said the chevalier; "endeavor to bring them both back,count."
"A bad heart, bad!" murmured De Guiche; "he scents mischief everywhere,and sooner than anything else." And taking leave of the prince, hequitted the apartment. As soon as he reached the vestibule, he wavedin the air the paper which the prince had signed. Malicorne hurriedforward, and received it, trembling with delight. When, however, he heldit in his hand Guiche observed that he still awaited something further.
"Patience, monsieur," he said; "the Chevalier de Lorraine was there,and I feared an utter failure if I asked too much at once. Wait until Ireturn. Adieu."
"Adieu, monsieur le comte; a thousand thanks," said Malicorne.
"Send Manicamp to me. By the way, monsieur, is it true that Mlle. de laValliere is lame?" As he said this a horse drew up behind him, and onturning round he noticed that Bragelonne, who had just at that momententered the courtyard, turned suddenly pale. The poor lover had heardthe remark, which, however, was not the case with Malicorne, for he wasalready beyond the reach of the count's voice.
"Why is Louise's name spoken of here?" said Raoul to himself; "oh! letnot De Wardes, who stands smiling yonder, even say a word about her inmy presence."
"Now, gentlemen," exclaimed the Comte de Guiche, "prepare to start."
At this moment the prince, who had completed his toilette, appeared atthe window, and was immediately saluted by the acclamations of all whocomposed the escort, and ten minutes afterwards, banners, scarfs,and feathers were fluttering and waving in the air, as the cavalcadegalloped away.
CHAPTER 83. Havre